Paul's Perambulationshttp://blog.peacefulways.com
a personal blogFri, 02 Feb 2018 00:24:13 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1Occupy PECO for green energy and local jobshttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1073
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1073#commentsWed, 31 Jan 2018 13:36:35 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1073Forty of us occupied PECO headquarters yesterday as part of an EQAT (Earth Quaker Action Team) campaign for solar energy and green jobs. After an hour of Quaker Meeting in their lobby, we left as planned when threatened with arrest.

]]>http://blog.peacefulways.com/?feed=rss2&p=10730MLK holy obedience at world’s largest war profiteerhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1084
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1084#commentsMon, 15 Jan 2018 13:53:46 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1084Martin Luther King 2018 action at Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest nuclear weapons contractor and war profiteer. Chilly, but a warm spirit in the group. I do this in a spirit of faithfulness to peacemaking and modeling a civil disobedience that may become increasingly called upon should our world become increasingly chaotic.

This weekend I attended a three-day conference entitled Ethics of War and Peace, held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. I’m feeling both exhausted and energized/empowered to have once again been the sole pacifist at this annual conference co-sponsored by Villanova University. I did a great deal of preparation for the conference and appreciate that I had opportunity to present my reflections and be heard both at plenary and breakout sessions. Most attendees were academic philosophers specializing in just war theory, plus cadets and Villanova students who were philosophy majors. There were about 75 of us in all. I wore my “Support our troops: Bring them home now” and Peace/Cross buttons the entire time — quite visible.

The conference assumed militarism to be necessary, while my focus is on nonviolent activism to avoid war and non-participation in war. I used opportunities in the Q&A that followed plenary speakers to inform the Villanova students and cadets about nonviolent peace activism. For example I explained that the word pacifism comes from Pax Ficare (to make peace) and has no relation to the word passive (whose root is to suffer or allow), and that Jesus exhibited the former in his life and the latter in the passion of Christ at his death. There’s a lot of “For God and Country” at West Point, so it’s good that they hear this Christian message (as well as seeing my button that linked a cross with a peace sign). The conference was at a quite high academic level (I learned some helpful things), and the students were an unusual group coming from ethics courses and included the 14 cadet philosophy majors at West Point. At the conference reception/dinner at the West Point Club, I made a point of sitting with these cadets. The goal of any conference should be to experience diversity, not to be talking in an echo chamber. A Senior cadet I sat next to at dinner is writing his senior paper on Kant and asked my opinion of Kant’s work. I replied that Kant’s categorical imperative offered a good reason to be a pacifist, while also noting that it was my experience that philosophical reasoning often did not accord with actual behavior, and that I had many other reasons for being a pacifist (which we discussed). The discipline of politeness and respect at the Academy is admirable – my views were always respectfully received. I enjoy walking the stacks of a library and perusing the books – a great pleasure of a library. As at my visit to West Point two years ago, I left some FCNL “War is Not the Answer” buttons behind a few books, for intellectual stimulation of some future reader

I mentioned in a final plenary session, somewhat jokingly, that it was reassuring that I passed the security check so that I could attend this conference (West Point is a military base). I said it was reassuring because I may still have warrants out for praying in the driveway of the world’s largest nuclear contractor or for not paying some of my taxes but instead sending that money to disabled American veterans (DAV charity). I hope that I didn’t say so much as to lose my listeners, but I think/hope that by then most people recognized the nature of my peaceful calling. I truly appreciate that they put up with me and that you don’t get shot in this country for saying such things – but that’s all the more reason to feel responsible to speak up and express your values. I used to speak primarily to Quakers, but now I think it’s particularly valuable to speak in places where my message is new and invites questioning and reflection. In the past I probably had too much fear to do this. Now my only fear is that I will present the message poorly because I am not as mentally alert as when I was younger. I am grateful that my role as a respected faculty member at Villanova (now retired) enables me to enter these environments and I hope to keep at it for as long as I am able.

]]>http://blog.peacefulways.com/?feed=rss2&p=10500Are liberals still relevant? If not, is reform possible? What is the role for peaceful revolutionaries?http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1031
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1031#commentsMon, 12 Jun 2017 14:17:44 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1031My published Comment on NYTimes article telling supposed liberal readers to ‘Stop Pretending You’re Not Rich‘: “I agree with others who are surprised at the resistance and animosity shown to this article. I think it’s the word “rich” that can drive NYTimes “liberals” into a frenzy. Readers complain about working 60 hours a week (good point, welcome to the club) and their debts and costs that eat away at an income of 200,000 or 300,000. So they claim they are really just middle class and not part of the economic problem. Ridiculous.

The article is imperfect, but at the same time right on the mark. It says a lot about us. My measure of middle class is the number of bathrooms that you have. My family of five always had one bathroom. There was one income producer, maxing out at 62,000 for eleven months of work (yes, that’s academe for many of us). But every year I got excited about the start of the year and exhausted by its end. There have been difficult times of other sorts, but financially and work-wise I am grateful and rich in many ways. Sometimes it seems like we are a nation of complainers who are never going to do anything more.”

We support our country in all its peaceful endeavors, but for reasons of conscience and religious faith we do not support our country in its preparation for war and in war making. We are deeply troubled by the fact that about half of the federal income tax that we owe the government is budgeted for military-related expenditures, to buy the tools and manpower to kill our fellow men and women.

As Quakers and pacifists and parents, we have considered our personal responsibility to God and country and world family and conclude that we must redirect a portion of our federal tax bill to peaceful purposes. We have sent $50 to UNICEF for the support of needy children around the world and $50 to Disabled American Veterans for the support of those disabled as a result of American wars, for a total of $100 that would otherwise accompany our tax return. TurboTax calculated our amount owing (line 78 of our Form 1040) as $ . . . . , and we are enclosing our check for $ . . . . .

We sincerely hope that Congress will this year pass the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill (H.R. 1947, 115th Congress) that would enable us to, in good conscience, direct all of our tax payments to the federal government in the service of peace.

Yesterday (Good Friday), in the spirit of Rabbi Jesus, a group of us assembled once again in front of Lockheed Martin (the world’s largest war profiteer and nuclear weapons contractor) in King of Prussia, PA, to confront the current face of war. Seven of us proceeded to walk up their driveway to carry the message of Christian love to those making possible these wars and destruction. Arrest and a free ride in the paddy wagon resulted. Another option is that if you don’t support these wars, don’t pay for them. Tax day is Tuesday – you can send your full amount that primarily funds these wars, or you can redirect a portion of that money to life-sustaining causes (I do UNICEF and Disabled Veterans of America). CIVIL disobedience still exists and is powerful – it just doesn’t get in the news the way violence does.

]]>http://blog.peacefulways.com/?feed=rss2&p=10162Nagasaki Day — Paul is NOT arrested (this time)http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1001
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1001#commentsWed, 10 Aug 2016 00:39:56 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1001Today (Nagasaki Day) we did an arrestable action of blocking the entrance to Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest war profiteer and nuclear weapons contractor. But we were not arrested this time. Usually what we do is turn from the entrance and walk up the driveway with our petition, and are arrested (usually in prayer, led by two clerics who are part of our group) for trespassing on private property. We stayed on the public entrance part of the road. And we stayed. And stayed. Seven of us, for nearly an hour in the sun, taking turns tolling a loud and heavy bell that two of us (often I) carried. We have used this bell before, and know that it can be heard for a long distance, including inside the Lockheed facility. Folks generally know it’s us. All of us have been arrested numerous times, so there was not any new reason or principle in being arrested on this particular occasion. About twenty police and Lockheed Martin security personal stood on the other side of the property line, which we never crossed. This was an interesting change, I believe, because our customary action might be considered by some as theatrical and simply wanting arrest (we’d actually like to get our petition delivered, but we understand that this is not likely to happen). The same could be said of most CD arrests, but I think that misses the point. Planning ahead for intentional CD is important (getting caught in a kettling is a different thing, where you suddenly find yourself unexpectedly penned in for arrest). I hold my arrests to be a part of faithfulness and are important for my continuing with a sense of competence and confidence that one can directly confront the forces of war at their source and on their own home ground. . Successful dealing with the law and the police can be part of that sense of empowerment, and I’m now relatively comfortable with that aspect – thus being ready to express my sense of faithfulness and ready to exemplify that such faithfulness is accessible for anyone, if one feels so led.
After our half-hour program and nearly hour-long blockade (which including a large sign that said “LOCKHEED MARTIN CLOSED,” we simply thanked the police and security for their time and walked off the street.
]]>http://blog.peacefulways.com/?feed=rss2&p=10012National War Tax Resistance Conference at Lansdowne Meetinghttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=985
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=985#commentsMon, 23 May 2016 22:04:27 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=985Lansdowne Friends Meeting and Lansdowne Friends School hosted a national conference of conscientious war tax resisters the weekend of May 13-15. There were about 30 attendees – 20 from around the country and 10 local. The conference included workshops of general interest as well as ones covering more specialized topics. The Meeting and Chester Quarter provided housing for all those requesting housing – 17 attendees. Fran and I accommodated two in our little row house, from Oregon and North Carolina. I was the principle on-site host for the conference — a lot of work for Fran and me, but worth it. For some of us, paying our government to enable killing in our name is not significantly different from doing the deed ourselves. Today our money is drafted for continual war and war preparations, not our bodies.
]]>http://blog.peacefulways.com/?feed=rss2&p=9850What is new this year, and the endless cycle of birth and death.http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=967
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=967#commentsTue, 10 May 2016 01:12:27 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=967

Baby Jasper at Dan Berrigan's wake

It’s been a while since last posting. What is new? (Hint – this post is going to relate to family and the recent death of Daniel Berrigan.) Some things are ongoing – I could describe the usual actions with Brandywine Peace Community, including civil disobedience at Lockheed Martin and arrest this Good Friday, 2016. I look at these recurring actions as a matter of faithfulness. I could speak about community building (building local community and removing support from our war-making government is the future that I foresee). I could focus on the environment, and also say something of our chickens and bees, and our attempt at (relatively) simple living. Or actions at Villanova, including speaking out at the West Point/Villanova Ethics of War Conference (asking VU President Father Peter what Jesus would think about “just war”). Or even just tell of our customary camping and backpacking trips. But the big news is that I have my first grandchild and have just returned from a stint of Jasper baby care in Brooklyn. One day we went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (of course). Not so “of course” – I took Jasper on the subway to Manhattan so that he and I could attend Daniel Berrigan’s wake. Two months old, and I touched his foot to Dan’s casket. Jasper won’t remember, but it is something his family will remember and that he will hear about and struggle to understand, and I hope that eventually he will understand why this was such a very important event.

]]>http://blog.peacefulways.com/?feed=rss2&p=9670Sexuality and Aginghttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1006
http://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1006#commentsWed, 13 Apr 2016 02:40:01 +0000adminhttp://blog.peacefulways.com/?p=1006Is Senior Sex an oxymoron? Not at all, although naturally there are some changes in sexuality associated with aging. Changes can be both physical and mental. Some are controllable, while others may not be. But most can be dealt with quite successfully. I find it ironical that in my seventies I am having my most consistently active physical life ever. What’s going on? Some explanation, please.

First, maintaining good health is important. Keeping fit is important, with a focus on maintaining one’s physical stamina and appearance. A couple can adjust to the natural changes of aging that occur gradually and inexorably. However if couples take on considerable excess weight, that can significantly affect both physical ability and mental desire.

If sexual responses become somewhat slower, there is also more time for closeness and consideration. If there is not the vigor or stamina of youth, there is also less internal pressure/drive/need to get things done. This can involve more flexibility, which can have positive value with an appropriate partner. There can be a more loving experience compared to simply needing immediate relief of an urge.

Having “an appropriate partner” becomes particularly important with aging. What may be reduced in terms of spontaneous sexuality can be readily made up for by an experienced and understanding partner. We are seniors, not kids (thank God). If one is open to sexuality happening at most any time, then there is no loss if occasionally full sexuality is not accomplished or other approaches are used. There are lots of opportunities. Our default position is to go for it if either one of us has an interest and the partner is in good health and readiness. We expect to continue to be sexually/physically active for our entire lives together, making whatever adjustments may be appropriate with developing age.

There are medicinal aids if needed, although all medicines come with side effects. An interesting thing about Viagra is that its effect is not to get an erection but to maintain an erection until something is done about it. Thus Viagra generates pressure to have sex, as well as taking over the role of what an experienced partner could contribute to the sexual encounter. I have tried Viagra, but we find going natural to be better overall for both of us.

Bottom line – Senior Sex is a great thing, with advantages and disadvantages compared to youthful adventures. I am convinced by experience that Senior Sex is absolutely the right thing when one is a senior. Wouldn’t make any sense to want to go back to being a kid at this point anyway.

p.s. I recommend Emily Nagoski’s book “Come As You Are” for a mature approach to shared sexuality.